Automatic valve



(No Model.)

J. GLAPP. AUTOMATIC VALVE.

No. 425,752. Patented Apr. 15, 1890.,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH CLAPP, OF EVANSTON, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLAPP AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUVTOMATICIVALIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 425,752, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed July 29, 1889. Serial No. 319,022. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH CLAPP, of Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Valves, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved valve as itappears when closed, together with a portion of a dry-pipe system with which it is connected; and Fig. 2 is a like view of said valve when open.

Like letters of reference in both figuresindicate like parts. I

My invention has reference more particularly to valves adapted to control the flow of water from the supply to the distributing zo pipes of an automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus, and is especially applicable to what is commonly known as the dry-pipe system, my object being to provide a diaphragm-valve in operative connection with the main valve,

and havinga secondary or supplemental valve forming a part thereof, which is arranged to move in the same directions, respectively, with the main valve when opening or closing.

To these ends my invention consists in the 0 combination of the elements hereinafter m ore particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent the two parts of a metal case or shell within which the Valves are inclosed, as hereinafter 3 5 stated. Said parts are provided with the usual flanges a a, which are bolted together, as shown, and between which is interposed a fieXible diaphragm B, of any suitable materialsnch as rubber or sheet metal but prefera- 0 bly of corrugated sheet-brass, the corrugations being circular and concentric with the axis of its shell. An opening is formed in the center of the diaphragm, around which is placed rings 1) b, which are rigidly attached to said diaphragm in any well-known way. Upon the ring I) is formed a valve-seat 12 A rigid depending frame b is formed upon or attached to the ring I) to the bottom of which and in the line of the axis of the shell is attached, pref- 5o erably by means of a ball-and-socket joint as shown, a valve C in operative proximity to a valve-seat a formed upon the lower section a of the case. A neck a having a screw thread formed thereon, serves as a means for attaching the service-pipe D. Into the neck c0 of the part A is screwed an annular nut E, having inner and outer screw-threads formed thereon, and to which is attached the main distributing-pipe F. A cross-bar c is attached to the interior of the nut E, and a like crossbar b is attached to the ring Z), both of said cross-bars being bored to receive a valve-stem g, which is loosely inserted therein, and to which is attached a valve G, adapted .to rest normally by its own gravity upon the valveseat b An opening it is formed in the part A of the shell to permit the escape of water in case the valve C should leak.

\Vith the main distributing-pipe is connected the usual branch distributing-pipes, one of which is shown at f, having automatic sprinklers f the valves of which are normally held in position by means of fusible solder. With the pipe F is also connected an air-pipe H, in communication with an air-pump J, and provided with a pressure-indicator J and a check-valve j.

The operation of my improved valve is as follows: Assuming the water-pressure to be temporarily shut off from the service-pipe D and. the valves of-the automatic sprinklers f closed, the air is compressed in the distributing-pipes by means of the pump J until a sufficient pressure is indicated upon the gage. The valve G becomes seated by its own gravity, and that, with the diaphragm B, is acted upon by the air-pressure in the chamber A and closes the valve C. ater is then admitted to the service-pipe D; but the pressure of the diaphragm thereon is sufficient to re- 0 tain the valve C firmly closed. Upon the opening of a sprinkler f, and the consequent escape of the air from the distributing-pipes, the valve C is opened by the pressure of water from beneath. The water enters the cham- 9 5 her A lifts the valve G, enters the chamber A and thence passes freely to the distributingpipes. It is obvious that as soon as the water is shut off and the pipes drained the operation may be repeated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- 1. A differential valve consisting of a closed shell, a flexible diaphragm having a central opening, a valve for closing the service-pipe, means-such as a frame-for connecting the same with said diaphragm, a valve-seat upon the opposite side of said diaphragm, and a loose valve arranged in operative connection therewith, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a difierential valve, the combination of ahollow shell, induction and eduction openings, a diaphragm arranged Within said shell, a central opening therein surrounded by a valve-seat upon the side facing the eductionopening, a loose valve in operative connection with said valve-scat, a valve-seat surrounding the induction-opening, and a valve attached to said diaphragm for normally closing said induction-opening, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination, with the supply an distributing pipes of a fire-extinguishing sy stem, of a differential valve having induction and eduction openings connected with said pipes, respectively, a diaphragm arranged within said shell, a central opening therein, a valve-seat thereon surrounding said opening upon the side facing the eduction-opening, a loose valve in operative connection With said valve-seat, a valve-seat surrounding the induction-opening, and avalve attached to said diaphragm for normally opening said induction-opening, substantially as shown and described. I

4:. In a diaphragm-valve, the combination of ashell having induction and eduction openings, of a diaphragm having a central opening and valves arranged upon opposite sides thereof, one attached to said diaphragm for closing said induction-opening and the other adjusted loosely for normally closing the opening in said diaphragm, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination of' the shell A A, diaphragm B, having a central opening, valveseat a valve 0, attached to said diaphragm, valve-seat b and valve G, loosely arranged in operative proximity to said seat, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, in a diaphragm-valve, of a diaphragm, a valve loosely arranged upon one side to -close an opening therein, and a valve upon the opposite side and attached to said diaphragm for closing the inductionopening, said valves being arranged to mov e in the same direction when opening and closing, respectively, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 18th day of July, 1889.

JOSEPH CLAPP. Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. IIALPENNY. 

